Device for renting or distributing and returning articles

• US 20040249648A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Klaus-Dieter Rosler, Reiner Gradwohl
• Original Assignee: Klaus-Dieter Rosler, Reiner Gradwohl
• Inventors: Gradwohl, Reiner, Rosler, Klaus-Dieter
• Application Number:
  US10/477,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/06 by returnable containers , i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for renting or distributing and returning articles, in particular tools, machines, etc., from an article store to a customer or employee,

having a central control unit for processing and storing article-related and customer-related data,

having data entry means for entering the individual customer identification data, and

having storage means on the individual articles for storing article identification data which identify the article. The device is characterized by in each case an electronically actuated lock for each individual article for connecting or including the relevant article to or in the article store,

means for data communication between lock, the control unit and the data entry means,

the lock releasing the article upon receipt of a release command which is triggered by customer identification data with access authorization, and the control unit receiving a removal signal identifying a removal operation when the relevant article is removed, and having means which, when an article is again connected to or included in a free lock, report the relevant article identification data to the control unit.

Claims

1. A device for renting or distributing and returning articles, in particular tools, machines, etc., from an article store to a customer or employee,

having a central control unit for processing and storing article-related and customer-related data,

having data entry means for entering the individual customer identification data, and

having storage means on the individual articles for storing article identification data which identifies the article,

characterized by in each case an electronically actuated lock (10) for each individual article for connecting or including the relevant article to or in the article store (8),

means for data communication (12) between lock (10), the control unit (2) and the data entry means (4),

the lock (10) releasing the article (20) upon receipt of a release command which is triggered by customer identification data with access authorization, and the control unit (2) receiving a removal signal identifying a removal operation when the relevant article is removed,

and having means which, when an article is again connected to or included in a free lock (10), report the relevant article identification data to the control unit (2).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the data entry means (4) are arranged centrally, and in that article selection means (6) are provided, on which the customer selects the article desired by him, and in that the release command is transmitted to the lock (10) of the selected article (20).

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that data entry means (4) for the entry and identification of the individual customer identification data are provided on each lock (10), and in that the lock and/or the data entry means report the customer identification data which trigger the release command for the lock and the article identification data which are associated with the article removed to the control unit when the relevant article is removed.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, when an article is returned, the individual customer identification data can be entered at the data entry means (4) and supplied to the control unit (2).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, following the connection or inclusion of an article (20), the relevant lock (10) is changed into a barred state and is unbarred again for the renewed distribution of the article only after a predefinable time or a predefinable event.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locks (10) can be driven with information and/or control commands by the central unit (2) individually or grouped in accordance with predefined criteria.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the storage means (22) which store the article identification data are permanently arranged in the articles (20) and, by means of a plug-in connection, can be coupled electrically to the control unit (2) and read out via the lock (10).

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the storage means (22) which store the article identification data are arranged to be removable as a smart card or fixed to the article (20), in that the stored content of the smart card can be read out by means of a data reading device before or during the opening of the electronic lock (10) and can be supplied to the control unit (2).

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each lock (10) stores its own identification data and, if appropriate, localization data, which specifies the local position of the lock in the article store (8), and in that the lock identification data and/or the localization data of the lock are transmitted to the control unit (2) when a lock (10) is actuated or selected.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the storage means (22) on the articles include a bar code.

11. A method for distributing and returning or renting articles from an article store, comprising data entry means, a central control unit for processing and storing article-related and customer-related data, which has the following steps:

a) entry of individual customer identification data at the entry to the article store and/or at a lock with which the article is secured

b) selection of the desired articles by the customer

c) release of the lock with which the article is secured

d) removal of the article, customer identification data and article identification data being reported to the control unit.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, when the article is returned, the latter is again enclosed by the lock, the article identification data being reported to the control unit.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, when the article is returned, the customer identification data is also reported to the control unit.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the returned article is checked for state of maintenance and serviceability.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, following the check for state of maintenance and serviceability, the article is released again for rental or for distribution.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the returned article is checked for state of maintenance and serviceability.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, following the check for state of maintenance and serviceability, the article is released again for rental or for distribution.